CN118059279A

CN118059279A - Apparatus and method for reducing malodor on surfaces

Info

Publication number: CN118059279A
Application number: CN202410201983.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 拉胡尔·维亚斯; 格里玛·乔汉; 玛德胡里·卡诺尔卡尔; G·萨伊尼
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 2017-11-03
Filing date: 2018-10-31
Publication date: 2024-05-24
Also published as: EP3703765A1; KR20220098396A; CA3078485A1; CA3190819A1; JP7509840B2; KR102419581B1; CA3078485C; JP2021503317A; JP2022188115A; US20190134245A1; WO2019089739A1; KR102419581B9; KR20200058469A; KR102504824B1; CN111225689A; US11938242B2; JP7149045B2

Abstract

A method of reducing malodor on a surface comprising providing a device in an environment comprising a surface, wherein the surface has a malodor containing compound selected from the group consisting of amine containing compounds and thiol containing compounds. The apparatus includes a volatile material having a volatile carbonyl-containing compound. The volatile material is exposed to the environment such that the volatile carbonyl-containing compound evaporates and deposits on the surface. The carbonyl containing compound undergoes nucleophilic addition in the presence of the malodor containing compound.

Description

Apparatus and method for reducing malodor on surfaces

The application is a divisional application of China patent application No.201880067621.8 with the application date of 2018, 10-31 and the name of 'equipment and method for reducing malodor on a surface'.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for reducing malodor in an enclosed environment, and a method for demonstrating the efficacy of volatile materials for reducing malodor on surfaces.

Background

Malodors in interior spaces such as homes and vehicles typically originate from major malodor sources (sources that actually produce malodors), including, but not limited to, tobacco smoke, food, cooking, and waste products from humans and pets. However, if malodor molecules are released into the air from a secondary malodor source, malodor may also be caused by the secondary malodor source (a malodor source that attracts and/or retains malodor generated by the primary malodor source). For example, malodor molecules may be trapped in or on surfaces such as carpets, fabrics, car seat trim, etc., and such surfaces containing malodor molecules become secondary sources of malodor. Malodor molecules may also be deposited on wall surfaces, such as walls including wallpaper, to create additional or alternative sources of secondary malodor. These and other secondary malodor sources can create odor recycling and contribute to overall malodor in enclosed spaces and are often the cause of malodors that consumers consider to be long-standing or background malodor. Air fresheners in the form of sprays, candles, oils, and gels typically use fragrances to mask malodors in the air. However, such products are generally not intended to prevent secondary malodor sources from reintroducing malodors into the air. Thus, these known air freshening products either do not prevent the secondary malodor source from releasing malodor into the air, or have potential negative side effects if applied directly to the secondary malodor source (e.g., staining on wallpaper or fabric) or indirectly by filling the space with a high concentration of air freshening product (e.g., masking fragrance).

Thus, there remains a need for a method of reducing malodor in enclosed spaces. In addition, there remains a need for a method of reducing the ability of secondary malodor sources to release malodors into the air. In addition, it is desirable to provide a method of demonstrating the efficacy of volatile materials in reducing malodor on surfaces.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a method for reducing malodor on a surface, the method comprising the steps of:

a) Providing a device in an environment comprising a surface, the surface comprising a permeable material having disposed thereon a malodor containing compound selected from the group consisting of: an amine-containing compound and a thiol-containing compound, wherein the apparatus comprises a volatile material having a volatile carbonyl-containing compound having a vapor pressure of at least 0.025 torr at 25 degrees celsius; and

B) Exposing the volatile material to the environment such that the volatile carbonyl-containing compound evaporates and deposits on at least a portion of the surface;

wherein the volatile carbonyl-containing compound undergoes nucleophilic addition in the presence of the malodor-containing compound.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of components of an apparatus for reducing malodor on inanimate surfaces in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a horizontal orientation when the apparatus is placed on a support;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a vertical orientation when the apparatus is placed on a support;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a variation of an apparatus for reducing malodor on inanimate surfaces in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a component of the apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 4;

fig. 8 is a variation of an apparatus for reducing malodor on inanimate surfaces in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 9A is a side cross-sectional view of a variation of an apparatus for reducing malodor on inanimate surfaces in accordance with the present invention prior to actuation;

FIG. 9B is a side cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 9A after activation;

FIG. 9C is a front perspective view of the apparatus of FIGS. 9A and 9B for use in a vehicle environment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a kit demonstrating the efficacy of volatile materials for reducing malodors on a surface;

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the relationship between pH indicators and the approximate pH range over which the pH indicators change color and their color change;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart demonstrating a method for reducing the efficacy of malodorous volatile materials on inanimate surfaces in accordance with the present invention;

13A-13C are product demonstration flow charts demonstrating a method for reducing the efficacy of malodorous volatile materials on inanimate surfaces in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of sample placement according to malodor neutralization test method;

FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of sample placement according to the malodor performance test method;

FIG. 16 is a graph plotting the Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrum (GCMS) response units for comparative sample A and inventive sample A;

FIG. 17 is a chromatogram of comparative sample A and inventive sample A;

FIG. 18 is a graph plotting GCMS response units for comparative sample B and inventive sample B; and

FIG. 19 is a chromatogram of comparative sample B and inventive sample B.

Detailed Description

It has been found that the material constituting and/or contained in the enclosed space plays an important role in the presence of odors in the air. In particular, malodorous compounds such as amines and thiols are typically absorbed by certain materials such as permeable materials and are again emitted into the air during periods of time when malodors are not otherwise generated, resulting in long-standing malodors. It has also surprisingly been found that volatile carbonyl-containing compounds, which are continuously vaporizable under passive airflow conditions, can adsorb onto surfaces and help neutralize malodorous compounds, which can prevent the malodorous compounds from being emitted back into the air over time.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing malodour on surfaces, typically inanimate surfaces, in an environment, particularly within an enclosed space. The methods and apparatus are suitable for a variety of uses including, but not limited to, air freshening, deodorization, odor elimination, malodor counteracting, pest control, insect repellent, pharmaceutical/drug, disinfectant, sanitizing, mood enhancing, aromatherapy adjunct, or any other use requiring volatile materials for conditioning, modifying, or otherwise altering the atmosphere or environment. For the purposes of this disclosure, but not intended to limit the scope of the invention, the method will be described as a method of reducing malodor from a surface using an optimized composition of volatile carbonyl-containing compounds that is allowed to evaporate from the device and not delivered by aerosol means. The apparatus of the present invention may be powered or unpowered.

By "non-energized" it is meant that the device is passive and does not need to be powered by an external energy source. In particular, the apparatus need not be powered by a heat source, air source or current source. The apparatus 1 may also be configured as an energizing device. An exemplary powered device may be an electrical device. The energizing means may be a wall outlet or a battery-powered air freshener having a wick and/or membrane as described above to deliver and/or evaporate a freshening composition therefrom; or other heating devices (e.g., devices powered by chemical reactions such as a catalyst fuel system; solar devices, etc.).

The technical effect of evaporating volatile carbonyl-containing compounds from the apparatus of the present invention is that they can be deposited on a surface in a continuous manner. Having a volatile carbonyl-containing compound deposited on the material allows for nucleophilic addition between the volatile carbonyl-containing compound and the malodor-containing compound, thereby producing a reaction product that neutralizes the malodor-containing compound, as shown in equation 1 below.

Equation 1:

In equation 1, an amine-containing compound such as a primary amine r—nh2 is shown as an example of a malodor-containing compound. The volatile carbonyl-containing compound can be an aldehyde or ketone having the corresponding chemical structure shown below:

Schiff bases are formed when aldehydes or ketones are reacted with amine-containing compounds. Schiff bases are imine compounds having the following general structure, and the odor thereof is generally low compared to amine-containing compounds.

Furthermore, aldehydes and/or ketones can also be reacted with thiol compounds to form thiol acetals, semi-thioacetals, and thiol esters in the gas and/or liquid phases. The thiol compound produces a sulfur-based odor.

The present invention may reduce and/or eliminate the need to provide an energy source to deliver volatile materials for malodor reduction and reduce and/or prevent malodor by neutralizing the malodor containing compound on the surface on which it is deposited.

The following terms are defined as described herein. Undefined terms should have their ordinary meaning as understood by those of skill in the relevant art.

As used herein, the term "carbonyl-containing compound" refers to a compound comprising the structure:

Wherein R is alkyl and R' is selected from: hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted aryl.

As used herein, the term "desorption" refers to a phenomenon whereby a substance is released from or through a surface.

As used herein, the term "interior space" refers to a limited volume of space in a residential, commercial, or vehicular environment.

As used herein, the term "interior surface" refers to the surface of an object in an interior space. Such objects may include, but are not limited to, walls, ceilings, floors, wall panels, windows, doors, decorations, rugs, carpets, walls, hangers, vents, beds, chairs, toilets, refrigerators, kitchen cabinets, sinks, garbage cans, curtains, towels, clothing, car seats, sofas, furniture, and the like.

As used herein, the term "malodor containing compound" refers to a compound selected from the group consisting of: amine-containing compounds and thiol-containing compounds.

As used herein, the term "membrane" refers to a semipermeable material that allows some components of a substance to pass through but blocks other components. Among the components that pass through, the membrane slows the permeation of the components, i.e., some components permeate faster than others. Such components may include molecules, ions or particles.

As used herein, the term "neutralization" or "neutralization" refers to the ability of a compound or product to reduce or eliminate malodorous compounds. The odour neutralization can be partial, affecting only some of the malodorous compounds within the specified range, or affecting only a portion of the malodorous compounds. The malodorous compounds may be neutralized by reactions that create a new chemistry, by sequestration, by chelation, by association, or by any other interaction that makes the malodorous compounds less malodorous or non-malodorous. The odor neutralization can be distinguished from odor masking or odor blocking by a change in malodorous compounds, the latter two being opposed to a change in perceived malodor capacity without any corresponding change in the condition of the malodorous compounds.

As used herein, the term "permeable material" refers to any material that allows the passage of liquids or gases and includes, but is not limited to, drywall, wallpaper, wood, vinyl, plastic, gypsum, wallboard, fabric, decorative material, paper, wovens, natural polymers, synthetic polymers, and inorganic materials, and mixtures thereof. The permeable material may also include residues formed on any inanimate surface and include, but are not limited to, dust particles or grease on inanimate surfaces.

As used herein, the term "inanimate surface" refers to surfaces including, but not limited to, fabrics, carpeting, household surfaces such as countertops, floors, trash cans, ceilings, walls, carpet liners, air filters, and the like.

As used herein, the term "volatile carbonyl-containing compound" refers to a carbonyl-containing compound suitable for use in a non-energized system, wherein the carbonyl-containing compound has a vapor pressure greater than or equal to 0.025 torr at 25 degrees celsius.

As used herein, the term "volatile material" refers to a material that can be vaporized at room temperature and atmospheric pressure without the need for an additional energy source. The volatile material may also be a composition consisting entirely of one volatile material or a composition consisting entirely of a mixture of volatile materials (i.e., the mixture has more than one volatile component). Furthermore, not all of the component materials of the composition are necessarily volatile. Any suitable volatile material, in any amount or form, may be used, including liquids, solids, gels or emulsions. Materials suitable for use herein may include non-volatile compounds such as carrier materials (e.g., water, solvents, etc.). It should also be understood that when a volatile material is described herein as being "delivered," "discharged," or "released," this refers to the volatilization of its volatile components and does not require that its non-volatile components be discharged.

As used herein, the term "evaporation" or "vaporization" refers to the phase change of a substance or compound from a solid and/or liquid phase to a vapor.

Method of

Generally, the methods of the present invention include providing a device including a volatile carbonyl species (described in more detail below) in an environment including an inanimate surface. For example, the volatile material may be provided in a device such as the air freshening device 1 shown in fig. 1.

The inanimate surface comprises a material having disposed thereon a malodor containing compound. The malodor containing compound may be selected from: amine-containing compounds and thiol-containing compounds. The volatile carbonyl-containing compounds are allowed to evaporate from the device and deposit on inanimate surfaces. The volatile carbonyl-containing compounds undergo nucleophilic addition in the presence of the malodor-containing compound to neutralize the malodor-containing compound, thereby reducing malodor on inanimate surfaces. The effect is that the inanimate surface does not become a secondary malodor source. The provision of the device according to the invention in an enclosed space thus enables to reduce malodour on inanimate surfaces in a passive and continuous manner and thus acts to reduce or eliminate secondary sources of malodour.

The method can be used to continuously remove malodors in enclosed environments such as houses, buildings and interior spaces of vehicles. Malodor may be any unwanted odor, such as odors from urine, feces, cooking, smoking, and the like.

Volatile material

The methods of the present invention may be practiced using an air freshening composition comprising, by weight of the air freshening composition, up to 100%, from about 4% to about 100%, from about 15% to about 100%, from about 65% to 86% volatile material.

An important feature of the volatile material of the present invention is that it is capable of measurably neutralizing malodor (e.g., by gas chromatography), rather than merely masking or masking malodor. In this case, the neutralization may have the benefit of providing both short-term and long-term reduction of malodor. Within a short period of time, malodor neutralizers may reduce the level of malodor in the air that is currently sensed by, for example, humans. In the long term, certain neutralizing agents can help prevent malodors from remaining on the surface and creating a secondary source of malodors. Thus, by selecting and employing a specific malodor neutralizing agent, the re-introduction of malodors from the surface into the environment may be prevented, which may effectively reduce or eliminate long-standing malodors or background malodors.

The volatile materials of the present invention may include mixtures containing carbonyl compounds. The mixture comprising carbonyl compounds can be present in an amount of about 0.01% to about 100%, about 0.01% to 50%, about 1% to 40%, about 4% to 25%, about 5% to 25% by weight of the volatile material. The effect of having less than 25% by weight of carbonyl-containing compounds is to enable the formation of a formulation space to which optional ingredients (such as perfume raw materials) described below are added to provide a pleasant experience.

The volatile carbonyl-containing compound can have a vapor pressure greater than or equal to 0.025 torr, about 0.025 torr to about 30 torr, measured at 25 degrees celsius. The vapor pressure of the individual volatile carbonyl-containing compounds can be calculated using an advanced chemical development laboratory ("ACD") (toronto, canada) VP calculation model (version 14.02) to provide a Vapor Pressure (VP) value in torr at 25 degrees celsius. When the volatile carbonyl-containing compound and the malodorous compound are deposited on the same interior surface in the interior space, the volatile carbonyl-containing compound typically undergoes a nucleophilic reaction in the presence of the malodorous compound, resulting in a reaction product that is less odorous than the malodorous compound.

The volatile carbonyl-containing compound can be selected from: volatile aldehydes, ketones, and mixtures thereof. Exemplary volatile aldehydes and ketones are listed in the following description and are named according to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) recommended method of naming organic compounds.

The carbonyl-containing compound can comprise a volatile aldehyde. The partially volatile aldehyde may be considered a volatile aldehyde as used herein. As described above, the volatile aldehyde reacts with the amine-containing compound following the path formed by the schiff base. Volatile aldehydes also react with thiol compounds to form thiol acetals, semi-thioacetals, and thiol esters in the gas and/or liquid phase. Exemplary volatile aldehydes that can be used include, but are not limited to, the aldehydes shown in table 1 below. The carbonyl-containing compound can also comprise a ketone. Exemplary ketones useful in the volatile materials include, but are not limited to, the ketones shown in table 2 below.

Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the carbonyl-containing compounds selected from tables 1 and 2 below have a higher reactivity with malodor-containing compounds and are therefore more effective in reducing malodor. Furthermore, the carbonyl-containing compounds from tables 1 and 2 may have a lower difference between the Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) energy of the carbonyl-containing compound and the Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO) energy of the malodorous-containing compound, and thus the carbonyl-containing compound may be more reactive relative to carbonyl-containing compounds having a higher difference.

TABLE 1

TABLE 2

Table 3 shows a mixture of volatile aldehydes suitable for use in the process of the present invention, which mixture is referred to herein as accord a.

TABLE 3 fragrance accord A

Table 4 shows another mixture of volatile aldehydes suitable for use in the methods of the present invention, which mixture is referred to herein as accord B.

TABLE 4 fragrance accord B

In the process according to the invention, volatile substances having a volatile aldehyde mixture within the above specified ranges are provided, and in example II an effective reduction of malodor on the surface is demonstrated.

Optional ingredients

The air freshening composition can optionally include an odor masking agent, an odor blocking agent, and/or a diluent. "odor blocking" refers to the ability of a compound to deactivate the human sense of smell "odor masking" refers to the ability of a compound to mask or hide malodorous compounds. Odor masking may include dosing compounds with a non-offensive or pleasant odor that limits the ability to perceive malodorous compounds. Odor masking may involve the selection of compounds that act with the intended malodor to alter the perception of the total malodor emitted by the combination of malodor compositions. Exemplary diluents include dipropylene glycol methyl ether and 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol, and mixtures thereof.

The air freshening composition can also optionally include a perfume raw material that simply provides a pleasurable benefit (i.e., the perfume raw material does not neutralize malodor but provides a pleasant fragrance).

Apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a device

The method of the present invention may be implemented using an apparatus, such as an air freshening apparatus. It is contemplated that the device may be configured for use in a variety of applications to deliver volatile materials to the atmosphere and/or surfaces, so long as the volatile materials evaporate from the device. For purposes of this disclosure, but not intended to limit the scope of the invention, the device is described as a non-powered device.

For example, the step of providing a device may comprise providing a reservoir of volatile material for a liquid phase or a solid phase. The device 1 may further comprise a delivery member configured to contain and allow evaporation of the volatile material of the liquid phase therefrom. The delivery member may comprise a wick, breathable film, gel, porous or semi-porous substrate including a felt pad. An exemplary delivery member may be a membrane, which is a semipermeable material that allows some components of a substance to pass through but blocks other components. Among the components that pass through, the membrane slows the permeation of the components, i.e., some components permeate faster than others. Such components may include molecules, ions or particles. Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 comprises a container 10 having a reservoir 11 for containing a volatile substance in a liquid or solid phase. The container 10 may be made of a substantially vapor impermeable substrate designed to resist diffusion of the vapor phase of the volatile material from the device 1 prior to its intended use. For example, the container 10 may be made of metal, glass, ceramic, porcelain, tile, and plastic, including but not limited to thermoplastics and other known materials suitable for thermoforming, injection molding, and blow molding. A membrane 12 may be disposed within the container 10 adjacent to the reservoir 11 to allow vapor phase of the volatile material to pass through. The membrane 12 of the present invention may be a microporous membrane and may have an average pore size of about 0.01 to about 0.06 microns, about 0.01 to about 0.05 microns, about 0.01 to about 0.04 microns, about 0.01 to about 0.03 microns, about 0.02 to about 0.04 microns, about 0.02 microns. Further, the film 12 may be filled with any suitable filler and plasticizer known in the art. Fillers may include silica fume, clay, zeolite, carbonate, charcoal, and mixtures thereof. Microporous membrane 12 may be filled with from about 50% to about 80%, from about 60% to about 80%, from about 70% to about 75% silica by total weight. The thickness of the film 12 may be about 0.01mm to about 1mm, between about 0.1mm to 0.4mm, about 0.15mm to about 0.35mm, about 0.25mm.

Still further, microporous membrane 12 may have an evaporation surface area of about 2cm ² to about 100cm ², about 2cm ² to about 25cm ², about 10cm ² to about 50cm ², about 10cm ² to about 45cm ², about 10cm ² to about 35cm ², about 15cm ² to about 40cm ², about 15cm ² to about 35cm ², About 20cm ² to about 35cm ², about 30cm ² to about 35cm ², about 35cm ². Microporous membranes suitable for use in the present invention include microporous ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) optionally filled with silica as described in U.S.7,498,369. Such UHMWPE microporous films include Daramic ^TM V5 from Daramic, DSM (Netherlands) from DSM (Netherlands)And Teslin ^TM from PPG Industries, and combinations thereof. Although an apparatus 1 using a membrane is described, it will be appreciated that a wick may also be used in the apparatus and method according to the present invention. Similarly, the device 1 may also be configured with a heating element or fan to facilitate evaporation of volatile materials from the device 1.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of the assembled device 1 of fig. 1 in a horizontal orientation, wherein the volatile material 13 is disposed within the container 10. Referring to fig. 2, container 10 may include an end wall 101, a side wall 102, and an opening 103 at a periphery 104 of side wall 102 defining reservoir 11. For example, if the container 12 is made of thermoplastic, the film 12 may be attached to the perimeter 104 of the container 10 using conventional heat stitching methods to contain the volatile material 13 within the reservoir 11.

The device 1 may be configured to be usable in any desired orientation, including, but not limited to, a vertical orientation such as that shown in fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of the device 1 of fig. 1, wherein the device 1 is substantially identical to the device 1 of fig. 1, except that the membrane 12 comprises a first surface 121 arranged in fluid communication with the volatile substance 13 and a second surface 122 facing the environment and remote from the volatile substance 13.

Fig. 4 shows a front perspective view of another embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention, fig. 5 shows a rear perspective view of the device 1 before use. Fig. 6 shows the internal components of the device 1 of fig. 4 and 5. The device 1 of fig. 4, 5 and 6 comprises substantially the same features as the device 1 of fig. 1, with additional components as described below.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5, the apparatus 1 includes a housing 40 having a front cover 401 and a rear frame 402, the front cover 401 and the rear frame 402 defining an inner space. The rear frame 402 has a frame opening 403 (hereinafter referred to as "opening") located substantially in the center of the rear frame 402. An actuator 404 movable relative to the housing 40 is provided for actuating the device 1. The actuator 404 may be, for example, a button 404 (hereinafter referred to as a "button") provided within the opening 403, and may be movable relative to the rear frame 402 to enable a user to activate the apparatus 1.A container 10 containing a volatile material 13 is located within a housing 40. The front cover 401 includes a window 405 configured to display the container 10.

When the volatile material 12 is a liquid volatile composition, the device 1 may include a rupturable substrate 60 sealably attached to and covering the reservoir 11 to prevent release of the volatile material 13 until the device 1 is activated. The rupturable substrate 60 may be ruptured to release the volatile material 13 by actuating a rupturing mechanism 61 positioned adjacent to the rupturable substrate 60. The breaking mechanism 61 includes a movable member 62 movably attached to an outer frame 63 by a resilient member 64. The resilient member 64 may be formed of one or more springs 65. One or more rupturing elements 66 are disposed within the rupturing mechanism 61 to pierce the holes in the rupturable substrate 60. The rupturing element 66 can be a needle. As described above with respect to fig. 1, the membrane 12 is sealably attached to the flange 67 at the periphery 104 of the container 10. The film 12 encapsulates the container 10, the volatile material 12, the rupturable substrate 60, and the rupturing mechanism 61. The membrane 12 may be configured to flex when pressure or an actuation force is applied to the membrane 12 by the button 404.

Referring to fig. 7, to activate the device 1, the user depresses the button 404 until it contacts the rupturing mechanism 61 (by flexing of the membrane 12 in the direction X toward the front end of the container) and the rupturing element 66 on the rupturing mechanism 61 pierces the rupturable substrate 60. Once the rupturable substrate 60 is pierced, the volatile material 13 flows out of the container 10, wets the membrane 12, and is then delivered to the surrounding atmosphere by evaporation from the membrane 12. In particular, wetting of the film 12 occurs when the volatile material 13 in the liquid phase contacts and spreads over at least a portion of the first surface 121 of the film 12. The membrane 12 is configured to prevent the volatile material 13 in the liquid phase from flowing out of the membrane 12, but to enable the volatile material 13 in the vapor phase to evaporate from the second surface 122 such that the volatile material 13 is delivered into the environment.

The volatile material 13 can be delivered through a wick, wherein the wick can be configured to have a variety of different shapes and sizes. For example, the wick may have a cylindrical or elongated cubic shape. The wick may be defined by a length and a diameter or width, depending on the shape. The wick may have various lengths. For example, the length of the wick may be in the range of about 1 millimeter ("mm") to about 100mm, or about 5mm to about 75mm, or about 10mm to about 50 mm. The wick can have various diameters or widths. For example, the diameter or width of the wick may be at least 1mm, or at least 2mm, or at least 3mm, or at least 4mm. The wick may exhibit a density. The core density may range from about 0.100g/cm ³ ("g/cc") to about 1.0 g/cc. The wick may comprise a porous or semi-porous substrate. The core may be constructed of a variety of materials and construction methods including, but not limited to, fibers compressed and/or formed into various shapes by overwraps such as nonwoven sheet overwraps or bundles made of sintered plastics such as PE, HDPE or other polyolefins. For example, the wick may be made of a plastic material such as polyethylene or a polyethylene blend.

Fig. 8 shows a variant of the device 1 for reducing malodour on a surface. The device 1 of fig. 8 comprises essentially the same components of the device 1 of fig. 4, except for the housing design. In particular, the device 1 of fig. 8 does not include a button and has a different housing design than the housing 40 of the device 1, except that the housing 40 of fig. 8 is configured to releasably engage the membrane 12 enclosing the container 10 (where the membrane 12 and the container 10 define a delivery engine) such that the device 1 is activated upon insertion into the delivery engine.

Still further, fig. 9A and 9B show a variant of the device 1 for reducing malodor on a surface in a first position before activation (fig. 9A) and in a second position after activation (fig. 9B). The device 1 of fig. 9A and 9B differs from the device 1 of fig. 4 in that the actuator 404 is a moveable clip 404 for attachment to the vent 900 in a vehicle environment, as shown in fig. 9C. The movable clamp 404 is rotatable relative to the housing 40 to move and pierce the rupturable substrate 60 with at least a portion of the membrane 12 and the rupture element 66, and release at least a portion of the volatile material 13 from the container 10, causing a portion of the volatile material 13 to evaporate from the device 1. It should be appreciated that the actuator 404 may be configured to move linearly or in a rotational manner using known mechanical methods in order to move at least a portion of the membrane 12 and the rupture element 66 toward and pierce the rupturable substrate 60.

DEMO external member

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a portable kit 300 for demonstrating a method for visually demonstrating the efficacy of volatile materials for reducing malodor on a surface in accordance with the present invention. The kit 300 may take the form of a display that may be used for marketing purposes and/or for a store. The kit 300 includes a first chamber 301 and a second chamber 302, the chambers 301 and 302 each defining an enclosed space capable of receiving at least one inanimate surface, respectively. In particular, the first chamber 301 includes a first inanimate surface 303 and the second chamber 302 includes a second inanimate surface 304. Each chamber 301,302 may include a length L, a width W, and a height H, and the volume of the enclosed space may vary depending on the size of the inanimate surface placed within the enclosed space. The chambers 301,302 may be configured as separate units sized and configured for portability between different locations and for ease of transportation, or as one piece to form a single unit with separate chambers. The chambers 301,302 may be made of or include a transparent or translucent material to allow a user to view the interior of the chambers 301,302 from the exterior of the chamber 302,301.

The first and second inanimate surfaces 303,304 may be pretreated with a pH indicator capable of exhibiting a color change upon exposure to malodorous compounds. The malodorous compounds may be of the acidic or basic type malodor, and the pH indicator may be selected accordingly to enable visual detection of the malodorous compounds. For example, the malodorous compound may comprise malodorous substances selected from the group consisting of: ammonia, bacteria, thiols, aldehydes, amines, sulfides, fatty acids, alcohols, and mixtures thereof. The pH indicator may comprise a pH sensitive dye, such as a dye selected from the group consisting of: bromocresol green, bromocresol purple, methyl orange, methyl red, bromothymol blue, thymol blue, phenol red, neutral red, cresol red, cresolphthalein, naphtholphthalein, phenolphthalein, thymolphthalein. Fig. 11 is a graph showing a relationship between a color indicator and an approximate pH range in which the pH indicator changes color, and a color change thereof. The pH indicator should be selected such that it changes color as the amount of malodorous substances changes. For example, the pH indicator may change color from a low pH color to a high pH color to indicate an increase in pH level caused by malodorous compounds.

Demonstration method

Fig. 12 is a simplified flow chart demonstrating a method 500 for reducing the efficacy of malodorous volatile materials on inanimate surfaces in accordance with the present invention. The method 500 comprises a step 501 of providing a first chamber 301 and a second chamber 302, followed by a step 502 of providing in the second chamber 302 a volatile material with carbonyl-containing compounds (shown in fig. 13A) contained in the device 1 but not provided in the first chamber 301. The device 1 is activated such that the volatile material 12 evaporates and deposits carbonyl-containing compounds on at least a portion of the second inanimate surface 304. In step 503 of the method 500, the first and second non-odorous inanimate surfaces 303, 304 are directly exposed to malodors introduced into the first and second chambers 301, 302. Over time, the color in the odorless first inanimate surface 303 changes from a first color to a second color, indicating that malodor has become attached to the odorless first inanimate surface 301. In contrast, when malodor is released into the second chamber 302, there is no or only a small color change in the odorless second inanimate surface 302 (which has the volatile material evaporated thereon). Method 500 illustrates the benefit of providing a space with volatile materials to prevent malodor transfer from a primary source (i.e., a toilet bowl) to a secondary source (i.e., a wall surface).

The presentation method 500 may also be described below with reference to fig. 13A, 13B, and 13C using the kit 300. In particular, fig. 13A to 13C show examples of how the kit 300 is used to demonstrate how malodor adheres to and remains on a surface. For purposes of this disclosure, but not intended to limit the scope of the invention, the kit 300 may also include miniature customizable components (such as miniature model furniture, appliances, hardware, etc.) arranged to depict miniature model spaces to better show the manner in which the device 1 works in interior spaces to customers/consumers and demonstrate the method 500 according to the invention. It should be appreciated that the method 500 may also be demonstrated in an interior space of actual size or any other desired scale.

As shown in fig. 13A, the first and second chambers 301,302 of the kit 300 are configured to display two miniature model bathrooms (hereinafter referred to as "first and second model rooms 301, 302"). When malodorous compounds are present in the micro toilet 320 and the same interior surfaces (e.g., the back wall 322 and side walls 323, floor mat 324, and towels 325), both have the micro toilet 320 functioning as the primary malodor source. Fig. 13A shows the appearance of the inner surface before malodor is introduced into the first and second model rooms 301, 302. The rear wall 322 of the first and second model rooms 301,302 may comprise inanimate surfaces 303,304 that have been treated with a pH indicator that will change color when malodorous molecules are present. Prior to performing the method 500, the first and second inanimate surfaces 303,304 should be substantially free of malodor ("odorless") and may contain a first color a. The device 1 is provided in the second model room 302 and not in the first model room 301. For the purpose of product demonstration to customers and/or consumers in a short period of time, a predetermined amount (e.g., 0.1 milliliter to 0.3 milliliter) of the carbonyl-containing compound of the volatile substance 12 may be pre-deposited on the surface 304 of the second model room 302 to simulate the evaporation and deposition of the carbonyl-containing compound of the volatile substance 12 contained in the device 1 (activated) on the surface 304 of the second model room 302 for a predetermined time. The predetermined amount was calculated to be 4 ml to 6 ml based on the volume of the second model room 302 having dimensions of 30cm h×25cm w×20cm L. However, it should be appreciated that volatile materials including carbonyl-containing compounds may be evaporated from the device 1 (such as shown in any of fig. 1-9C) and deposited onto the inanimate surface 304 of the second model room 302 to reduce malodor on the surface (such as demonstrated by the results of example III).

Fig. 13B shows how malodor containing compounds 310 are introduced into the respective environments of the first and second model rooms 301,302 via a drip device 311 comprising the malodor containing compounds 310. Specifically, malodor containing compounds 310 are added to two model rooms 301,302, such as a micro toilet 320 placed therein, and allowed to stand for a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period of time may vary depending on the concentration of malodorous compound 310 in the model room 302. The malodorous compound may be configured so as to exhibit a second color B, such as a bright pink (based on the pH indicator phenolphthalein), while the first color a of the inanimate surface 303,304 may be a different color, e.g., white.

Fig. 13C shows the appearance of the first and second model rooms 301,302 after malodor containing compounds have been introduced into the environment. Pink color on some surfaces (due to the pH indicator changing color) shows that malodorous molecules are present on the surface. As is apparent from fig. 13C, the surface of the first model room 301 without the device 1 has malodor molecules thereon, while the surface of the second model room 302 (with the device 1) does not indicate that malodor molecules are attached thereon. This clearly shows that the carbonyl-containing compounds in the device 1 have prevented the malodor compounds 310 from depositing on surfaces in the model room comprising the device and/or that the carbonyl-containing compounds neutralize malodors deposited on the second inanimate surface 304. Either way, the amount of malodor molecules on the second surface 304 is significantly reduced from that on the first surface. Thus, the second surface 304 will be less likely to act as a secondary odor source for the room.

The particular color shown helps to clearly observe any transfer of malodorous compounds to the first and second inanimate surfaces 303, 304. However, any color is acceptable as long as the user can detect the difference between colors.

Fig. 13C shows a first inanimate surface 303 in a first model room 301, excluding the volatile material 12 (represented by device 1) containing said carbonyl-containing compound, with malodorous particles on the first surface 303 that react with pH indicators present in the first inanimate surface 303. The first inanimate surface 303 may exhibit a color change from a first color a to a second color C, where the second color C may correspond to the color B of the malodor compound 12. On the other hand, no or little color change is produced in the second inanimate surface 304 (i.e., the second inanimate surface 304 is substantially the first color a), indicating that the volatile material deposited on the second inanimate surface 304 has neutralized and reduced malodorous compounds present on the second inanimate surface 304. Thus, malodor is prevented from being released from the second inanimate surface 304 into the air, and thus malodor is not transferred from the second inanimate surface 304 into the air.

One benefit of the method 500 according to the present invention is that the inanimate surface in the demonstration space visually through a color change can become a secondary malodor source that absorbs malodor and re-emits malodor, thus creating a circulation of odors within an enclosed space such as a house. Thus, providing a separate volatile containing compound comprising carbonyl containing compound within the enclosure or providing a device comprising a volatile containing compound comprising carbonyl containing compound can reduce malodor on inanimate surfaces. Over time, this approach provides a passive and efficient method of eliminating secondary malodor sources from an enclosed space.

Test method

A. Malodor neutralization test method

This test method is used to detect the neutralization of malodors by volatile materials comprising carbonyl-containing compounds according to the invention deposited on at least a portion of an inanimate surface comprising a permeable material. In particular, in the case where the carbonyl-containing compound is an aldehyde-containing compound such as described in table 1, the formation of schiff base indicates that nucleophilic addition of the carbonyl-containing compound occurs to neutralize malodor.

The equipment and materials used in the experiments are listed in table 5 below.

TABLE 5 apparatus/materials

The test method is carried out in the kit according to fig. 14 at an average temperature of 23 ℃ +/-0.1 ℃ and an average% relative humidity of 45% +/-0.5%. The steps for performing the test include:

Step 1: the four inanimate surfaces were treated by depositing 22.2ng of the malodor containing solution of table 5 on each inanimate surface to form four malodor containing inanimate surfaces 75. Four inanimate surfaces are untreated ("inanimate surfaces 76").

Step 2: four odorless inanimate surfaces are placed in the first housing 72 to define a comparison sample a/comparison sample B. A different set of four malodor containing inanimate surfaces are placed in the second housing 72 to define invention sample a/invention sample B.

Step 3: 1.0ml of carbonyl-containing compound is pipetted into each of the first reservoir 77 and the second reservoir 78. The first receptacle 77 is placed in the first housing 71, and another aluminum tray is placed in the third housing 73.

Step 4: the housings 71, 72 are sealed by mounting a cover on each of the first housing 71 and the second housing 72, and allowed to equilibrate for a period of 30 minutes.

Step 5: all inanimate surfaces of comparative sample a/comparative sample B and inventive sample a/inventive sample B were removed from the respective housings and analyzed using GCMS equipment and software as described above to determine:

Malodor neutralization according to the invention (inventive sample A/inventive sample B)

Evaporation and deposition of carbonyl-containing compounds on inanimate surfaces (comparative sample A/comparative sample B)

B. Malodor performance test method

This test method was used to evaluate the effectiveness of a method in reducing or eliminating malodors from inanimate surfaces and/or the environment. The equipment and materials used in the experiments are listed in table 6 below.

TABLE 6

The test method is carried out in the kit according to fig. 15 at an average temperature of 22 ℃ +/-0.1 ℃ and an average% relative humidity of 60% +/-5%. The steps for performing the test include:

Step 1: a set of five inanimate surfaces 151 are placed in each of the chambers 171, 172, 173, 174 containing the primary malodor source 150, respectively, for 30 minutes to expose the five inanimate surfaces to the primary malodor source, thereby forming a malodor-containing inanimate surface (hereinafter referred to as "secondary malodor source 152").

Step 2: a device 1 according to the invention comprising a volatile material with carbonyl-containing compounds is placed in each of the chambers 175 and 177.

Step 3: inanimate surfaces (also referred to as secondary malodor sources obtained in step 1) are transferred from chambers 171, 172, 173, 174 into chambers 175, 176, 177, 178 and left for 45 minutes.

Step 4: inanimate surfaces from chambers 175, 176, 177, and 178 are evaluated by panelists, each of which evaluates one inanimate surface from any of chambers 175, 176, 177, 178 and ranks malodors and/or fragrance odors of the inanimate surface according to intensity ratings based on odor rankings using the scale shown in table 7 below. The malodors and/or fragrance odors of the air in the chambers 175, 176, 177, 178 may also be classified. This can help evaluate surfaces that are not actually suitable for disassembly (such as drywall). However, it should be appreciated that the odor grade value of the inanimate surface may be reduced accordingly, as it is believed that the inanimate surface containing malodor acts as a secondary source of malodor in the auxiliary air.

TABLE 7 odor assessment Scale

Scoring of	Corresponding description of score
		0	Odorless presence
10	Very slight smell "I consider there to be smell"
		20	Slight smell "I perceive a little smell but cannot recognize a specific smell
25	Slight smell
		50	Moderate to moderate
75	Strong smell of column
		100	Extremely strong smell

C. Visual demonstration test method

This test method is used to visually show how malodor is reduced by providing a device comprising a carbonyl-containing volatile compound according to the invention in an enclosed space. The equipment and materials used in the experiments are listed in table 8 below.

TABLE 8

The test method was performed at an average temperature of 22 ℃ +/-0.1 ℃ and an average% relative humidity of 60% +/-5%. The steps for performing the test include:

Step 1: an inanimate surface treated with a pH indicator is placed in the center of the rear wall of each of the first and second chambers.

Step 2: in each chamber, a reservoir for receiving malodorous compounds is placed 20cm from the inanimate surface.

Step 3: an apparatus comprising a carbonyl-containing compound according to the invention is started up and placed in a first chamber and positioned between a reservoir and an inanimate surface ("test chamber"). The second chamber had no equipment or carbonyl-containing compound ("control chamber").

Step 4: the test and control chambers were closed and allowed to stand for a period of 8 hours.

Step 5: at the end of the 8 hour period, the test and control chambers are opened and 1ml to 1.5ml of malodor containing compound is added to the reservoir of each chamber. Closing each chamber.

Step 6: after a period of 10 minutes, the color change of the inanimate surface in the chamber was observed.

The following examples further illustrate the invention but are not intended to be limiting thereof.

Examples

Example I

The following samples in table 9 were evaluated according to the malodor neutralization test method described above in the test methods.

TABLE 9

Comparative sample a and inventive sample a were allowed to stabilize for a period of 30 minutes. After a period of time for GCMS (gas chromatography mass spectrometry) analysis, each inanimate surface in the above sample was retrieved. Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the GCMS results (see FIG. 16) show that Schiff base (1, 2-butylhex-2-en-1-imine) was observed in invention sample A, indicating the presence of a neutralization of carbonyl-containing compound (butylamine) with carbonyl-containing compound (trans-2-hexenal). In particular, little or no butylamine was detected on inventive sample a. In addition, the results also show that the carbonyl-containing compound was deposited on the inanimate surface of comparative sample a, indicating that the carbonyl-containing compound, i.e., trans-2-hexenal, according to the present invention was capable of evaporating and depositing on the inanimate surface.

Comparative sample B and inventive sample B were allowed to stabilize for a period of 30 minutes. After a period of time for GCMS (gas chromatography mass spectrometry) analysis, each inanimate surface in the above sample was retrieved. Referring to fig. 18 and 19, gcms results (see fig. 18) show that schiff base (1, 2-phenylhex-2-en-1-imine) was observed in invention sample B, indicating the presence of neutralization of carbonyl-containing compound (aniline) with carbonyl-containing compound ((E) -hex-2-enal). In particular, little or no aniline was detected on inventive sample B.

Example II

The following samples in table 10 were evaluated according to the malodor performance test method described above in the test methods. The accords C, D and E used to prepare the samples are detailed in tables 11, 12 and 13 below. The results show that having a device comprising volatile materials containing carbonyl-containing compounds capable of evaporating and depositing on inanimate surfaces exhibits improved performance in reducing malodor on inanimate surfaces and/or in the air of enclosed spaces.

Table 10

Table 11-accords C

Table 12-accords D

TABLE 13 fragrance accord E

Tables 14, 15 and 16 show the average odor values provided by panelists based on odor classification (as shown in table 7) when inventive samples C, D and E were tested on inanimate surfaces including fabrics, drywall and wallpaper. In particular, the results show that malodor in inanimate surfaces and ambient air is reduced when the device according to the present invention is provided in an environment.

TABLE 14 odor results-invention sample C

TABLE 15 smell results-invention sample D

TABLE 16 odor results-invention sample E

The results in tables 14, 15 and 16 show that the volatile materials according to the present invention do not require perfume raw materials to reduce malodor. Even if the perfume raw materials were added such as for inventive samples D and E, the score was improved from 21 to 18 as shown in inventive sample D relative to inventive sample C and the score was improved from 21 to 20 as shown in inventive sample E relative to inventive sample C, the difference in scores was small. This shows that the volatile materials having a substantially perfume raw material free according to the present invention are effective in reducing malodor on inanimate surfaces and thereby eliminating secondary sources of malodor, as indicated by the reduced air odor values in the above table. The effectiveness of inventive samples D and E in reducing malodors on wallpaper and drywall (described in more detail below) was also evaluated according to the malodor performance test method described above in the test methods. The results are shown below.

TABLE 17 smell results inventive sample D

TABLE 18 odor results-invention sample E

When evaluated with inventive sample E, table 18 does not include the odor value results for the surface, as it is impractical to extract drywall for odor evaluation by panelists. However, as shown in the results of invention sample E (in table 16), it is expected that if the odor value of air is reduced, the odor value of the surface disposed in the same space should also be reduced.

Example III

The following samples (inventive sample F) in table 19 were provided in an apparatus such as that shown in fig. 5 and evaluated according to the malodor performance test method described above in the test methods. The results show that having a device comprising a volatile material comprising carbonyl-containing compounds capable of evaporating and depositing on inanimate surfaces exhibits improved performance in reducing malodor on inanimate surfaces.

TABLE 19 invention sample F

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Based on the observation after performing the test method, in the absence of equipment, there is a color change in the inanimate surface in the control chamber and no color change in the inanimate surface in the test chamber. This shows that the device 1 comprising inventive sample F enables the compounds in inventive sample F to evaporate and deposit on the surface. When the malodor containing compound is contacted with the inanimate surface by evaporation of the malodor containing compound, the compounds deposited on the inanimate surface in the test chamber neutralize the malodor containing compound. This shows that having volatile substances contained in the device according to the invention is effective in reducing malodour on inanimate surfaces and thereby eliminating secondary sources of malodour.

Examples are shown below:

A. A method of reducing malodor on a surface, the method comprising the steps of:

wherein the carbonyl containing compound undergoes nucleophilic addition in the presence of the malodor containing compound.

B. The method of a further comprising the step (c) of neutralizing the malodor containing compound by the reaction product produced in step (b), thereby reducing malodor on the surface.

C. the method of a, wherein the step of providing a device comprises providing a reservoir for the volatile material, the reservoir comprising an opening and a membrane sealably covering the opening of the reservoir, wherein the membrane comprises a first surface in fluid contact with the volatile material and a second surface facing the environment and remote from the volatile material.

D. the method of C, wherein the step of exposing the volatile material to the environment comprises wetting the film.

E. The method of any one of A, B, C or D, wherein the vapor pressure of the volatile carbonyl-containing compound is less than or equal to 30 torr at 25 degrees celsius.

F. The method of any one of A, B, C, D or E, wherein the volatile carbonyl-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of: volatile aldehydes, ketones, and mixtures thereof.

G. The method of F, wherein the volatile carbonyl-containing compound comprises at least one volatile aldehyde selected from the group consisting of: (E) -3-phenylprop-2-enal, benzaldehyde, 4-prop-2-yl-benzaldehyde, 4-methoxybenzaldehyde, (2E, 6Z) -non-2, 6-dienal, (E) -hex-2-enal,

(2 E,6 z) -dodeca-2, 6-dienal, non-2-enal, 2,4, 6-trimethylcyclohex-3-ene-1-carbaldehyde; 3,5, 6-trimethylcyclohex-3-ene-1-carbaldehyde, 3- (6, 6-dimethyl-4-bicyclo [ 3.1.1) ]

Hept-3-enyl) -2, 2-dimethylpropionaldehyde, nonanal, (E) -dec-4-enal, 2, 6-dimethylhept-5-enal, (Z) -non-6-enal, 7-methoxy-3, 7-dimethyloctanal, 3- (4-methylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl) butanal, 3, 7-dimethyloct-6-enal, 2-methyldecanal, 2, 4-dimethylcyclohex-3-en-1-carbaldehyde, undeca-10-enal, 4, 8-dimethyldec-4, 9-dienal, octanal, undeca-9-enal, 6-methoxy-2, 6-dimethylheptanal, 3- (6, 6-dimethyl-4-bicyclo [3.1.1] hept-3-enyl) propanal, 4, 7-bridged indan-1-carbaldehyde, and mixtures thereof.

H. the method of F, wherein the volatile carbonyl-containing compound comprises at least one ketone selected from the group consisting of: 2, 6-trimethylcyclohex-2-ene-1, 4-dione, 4, 7-trimethylbicyclo

[2.2.1] Hept-2, 3-dione, 1-acetophenone, penta-2, 3-dione, 4-methoxy-2, 5-dimethylfuran-3-one, 4-hydroxy-2, 5-dimethylfuran-3-one, (1S, 5S) -2, 6-trimethylbicyclo

[3.1.1] Hept-2-en-4-one, (1R, 5R) -2, 6-trimethylbicyclo [3.1.1] hept-2-en-4-one,

3, 5-Trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one, 3-methylcyclopent-2-en-1-one, (5S) -2-methyl-5-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-one, (5R) -2-methyl-5-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-one, 4-methylpent-3-en-2-one, 2-methyl-5-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-one,

1- (1H-pyrrol-2-yl) ketene, (5R) -5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylidene cyclohex-1-one, 4-methylpent-3-en-2-one, 2-methyl-5-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-one, 1- (1H-pyrrol-2-yl) ketene, (5R) -5-methyl-2-prop-2-ylidene cyclohex-1-one, 4-phenylbutan-2-one,

3-Methylbutyl 3-oxobutanoate, 3-hydroxybut-2-one, (Z) -3,4,5, 6-pentamethylhept-3-en-2-one, 3-oxobut-2-yl acetate, methyl 3-oxobutanoate, ethyl 3-oxobutanoate,

(2R, 5R) -2-methyl-5-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohex-1-one, (2S, 5S) -2-methyl-5-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohex-1-one, 2-ethyl-4, 4-dimethylcyclohex-1-one, 1- (3, 3-dimethylcyclohexyl) ketene, (2S, 5S) -5-methyl-2-prop-2-ylcyclohex-1-one, (2S, 5) -5-methyl-2-prop-2-ylcyclohex-1-one, 2, 5-trimethyl-5-pentylcyclopent-1-one, 3, 5-trimethylcyclohex-1-one, 2-cyclopentylcyclopent-1-one,

(1S, 4R, 5R) -4-methyl-1-propan-2-yl-bicyclo [3.1.0] hex-3-one, 4- (2-methylbutan-2-yl)

Cyclohex-1-one, 4, 7-trimethylbicyclo [2.2.1] hept-3-one, 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one,

Octan-2-one, (1S, 4R) -2, 4-trimethylbicyclo [2.2.1] heptan-3-one, heptan-2-one, 2, 4-trimethylbicyclo [2.2.1] heptan-3-one, 5-methylheptan-3-one, octan-3-one, and mixtures thereof.

I. The method of any one of A, B, C, D, E, F, G or H, wherein the amount of the volatile carbonyl-containing compound is greater than or equal to 0.01% to less than or equal to 25% by weight of the volatile material.

J. The method of any one of claims A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H or I, wherein

The permeable material is selected from: fabrics, drywall, wovens, paper, natural polymers, synthetic polymers and inorganic materials, and mixtures thereof.

K. the method of any one of A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I or J, wherein the volatile material comprises a volatile aldehyde mixture selected from the group consisting of: accords A, B, and mixtures thereof.

An apparatus for reducing malodor on a surface, the apparatus comprising:

a housing comprising a rear frame having one or more apertures spaced apart from the frame opening;

an actuator movable relative to the rear frame;

A container disposed within the housing, the container comprising a reservoir containing a volatile material having a carbonyl-containing compound having a vapor pressure greater than or equal to 0.025 torr at 25 degrees celsius; an opening; a rupturable substrate attached to and covering the opening and a rupturing element aligned with the actuator to;

Upon actuation of the actuator, the rupturing element ruptures the rupturable substrate, thereby evaporating at least a portion of the volatile species comprising the volatile carbonyl-containing compound and exiting the device to enter the environment;

wherein the carbonyl containing compound of the volatile material is capable of undergoing nucleophilic addition in the presence of a malodor containing compound selected from the group consisting of: amine-containing compounds and thiol-containing compounds.

The apparatus of L, wherein the actuator is a button movably disposed within a frame opening of the rear frame.

N. the apparatus of M, comprising a membrane disposed adjacent to the rupturable substrate and aligned with the button.

The apparatus of any one of claims L, M or N, wherein the volatile carbonyl-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of: volatile aldehydes, ketones, and mixtures thereof.

The apparatus of O, wherein the volatile carbonyl-containing compound comprises at least one volatile aldehyde selected from the group consisting of: (E) -3-phenylprop-2-enal, benzaldehyde, 4-prop-2-yl-benzaldehyde, 4-methoxybenzaldehyde, (2E, 6Z) -non-2, 6-dienal, (E) -hex-2-enal,

The apparatus of O, wherein the volatile carbonyl-containing compound comprises at least one ketone selected from the group consisting of: 2, 6-trimethylcyclohex-2-ene-1, 4-dione, 4, 7-trimethylbicyclo

Cyclohex-1-one, 4, 7-trimethylbicyclo [2.2.1] hept-3-one, 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one, oct-2-one, (1S, 4R) -2, 4-trimethylbicyclo [2.2.1] hept-3-one, hept-2-one, 2, 4-trimethylbicyclo [2.2.1] hept-3-one, 5-methylhept-3-one, oct-3-one, and mixtures thereof.

The method of any one of claims L, M, N, O, P or Q, wherein the volatile material comprises a volatile aldehyde mixture selected from the group consisting of: accords A, B, and mixtures thereof.

A method of visually demonstrating the efficacy of a volatile material for reducing malodor on a surface, the method comprising the steps of:

a) Providing a first inanimate surface in a first closed environment, at least a portion of said first inanimate surface being treated with a pH indicator, wherein said pH indicator has a first color and is capable of undergoing a color change to a second color different from said first color upon contact with a predetermined malodor;

b) Providing a second inanimate surface in a second closed environment, at least a portion of said second inanimate surface being treated with the same pH indicator that treats said first inanimate surface, each of said first inanimate surface and said second inanimate surface comprising a permeable material;

c) Providing a volatile material having a carbonyl-containing compound into the second enclosed environment such that the volatile material evaporates and deposits carbonyl-containing compound on at least a portion of the second inanimate surface; and

D) Exposing both the first inanimate surface and the second inanimate surface to a malodor-containing compound comprising the predetermined malodor in their respective first and second environments, wherein the malodor-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of amine-containing compounds and thiol-containing compounds; wherein the carbonyl-containing compound undergoes nucleophilic addition in the presence of the malodor-containing compound disposed on at least a portion of the second inanimate surface such that the pH indicator disposed on the second permeable material exhibits a different color than the pH indicator disposed on the first inanimate surface.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Rather, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40mm" is intended to mean "about 40mm".

Each of the documents cited herein, including any cross-referenced or related patent or patent application, and any patent application or patent for which the present application claims priority or benefit from, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present application, or that it is not entitled to any disclosed or claimed herein, or that it is prior art with respect to itself or any combination of one or more of these references. Furthermore, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A passive and continuous method of reducing malodor on a surface, the method comprising the steps of:

B) Passively evaporating the volatile carbonyl-containing compound by exposing the volatile material to the environment such that the volatile carbonyl-containing compound is deposited on at least a portion of the surface after evaporation;

wherein the carbonyl containing compound undergoes nucleophilic addition in the presence of the malodor containing compound; and

Wherein the step of passively evaporating the volatile carbonyl-containing compounds does not include venting non-volatile compounds.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step (c) of neutralizing the malodor containing compound by the reaction product produced in step (b), thereby reducing malodor on the surface.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a device comprises providing a reservoir for the volatile material, the reservoir comprising an opening and a membrane sealably covering the opening of the reservoir, wherein the membrane comprises a first surface in fluid contact with the volatile material and a second surface facing the environment and remote from the volatile material.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the step of exposing the volatile material to the environment comprises wetting the membrane.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile carbonyl-containing compound has a vapor pressure of less than or equal to 30 torr at 25 degrees celsius.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile carbonyl-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of: volatile aldehydes, ketones, and mixtures thereof.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the volatile carbonyl-containing compound comprises at least one volatile aldehyde selected from the group consisting of: (E) -3-phenylprop-2-enal, benzaldehyde, 4-prop-2-yl-benzaldehyde, 4-methoxybenzaldehyde, (2E, 6Z) -non-2, 6-dienal, (E) -hex-2-enal,

(2 E,6 z) -dodeca-2, 6-dienal, non-2-enal, 2,4, 6-trimethylcyclohex-3-ene-1-carbaldehyde;

3,5, 6-trimethylcyclohex-3-ene-1-carbaldehyde, 3- (6, 6-dimethyl-4-bicyclo [3.1.1] hept-3-enyl) -2, 2-dimethylpropionaldehyde, nonanal, (E) -dec-4-enal, 2, 6-dimethylhept-5-enal, (Z) -non-6-enal, 7-methoxy-3, 7-dimethyloctanal, 3- (4-methylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl) butanal,

3, 7-Dimethyloct-6-enal, 2-methyldecanal, 2, 4-dimethylcyclohex-3-ene-1-carbaldehyde, undec-10-enal, 4, 8-dimethyldeca-4, 9-dienal, octanal, undec-aldehyde, decanal, undec-9-enal, 6-methoxy-2, 6-dimethylheptanal, 3- (6, 6-dimethyl-4-bicyclo [3.1.1] hept-3-enyl) propanal, 4, 7-bridged indan-1-carbaldehyde, and mixtures thereof.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the volatile carbonyl-containing compound comprises at least one ketone selected from the group consisting of: 2, 6-trimethylcyclohex-2-ene-1, 4-dione, 4, 7-trimethylbicyclo [2.2.1] hept-2, 3-dione, 1-acetophenone, penta-2, 3-dione, 4-methoxy-2, 5-dimethylfuran-3-one, 4-hydroxy-2, 5-dimethylfuran-3-one, (1S, 5S) -2, 6-trimethylbicyclo [3.1.1] hept-2-ene-4-one, (1R, 5R) -2, 6-trimethylbicyclo [3.1.1] hept-2-ene-4-one, 3, 5-trimethylcyclohex-2-ene-1-one 3-methylcyclopent-2-en-1-one, (5S) -2-methyl-5-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-one, (5R) -2-methyl-5-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-one, 4-methylpent-3-en-2-one, 2-methyl-5-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-one, 1- (1H-pyrrol-2-yl) ketene, (5R) -5-methyl-2-prop-2-ylidene cyclohex-1-one, 4-methylpent-3-en-2-one, 2-methyl-5-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-one, 1- (1H-pyrrol-2-yl) ketene, (5R) -5-methyl-2-prop-2-ylidene cyclohex-1-one, 4-phenylbutan-2-one, 3-oxobutanoic acid 3-methylbutyl ester, 3-hydroxybut-2-one, (Z) -3,4,5, 6-pentamethylhept-3-en-2-one, 3-oxobutan-2-one acetate, methyl 3-oxobutanoate, ethyl 3-oxobutanoate, (2R, 5R) -2-methyl-5-prop-2-yl cyclohex-1-one, 2-methyl-5-prop-1-en-2-yl cyclohex-1-one, (2S, 5S) -2-methyl-5-prop-1-en-2-yl cyclohex-1-one, 2-ethyl-4, 4-dimethyl cyclohex-1-one, 3-dimethyl cyclohex-1-one,

(2S, 5S) -5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylcyclohex-1-one, (2S, 5R) -5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylcyclohex-1-one, 2, 5-trimethyl-5-pentylcyclopent-1-one, 3, 5-trimethylcyclohex-1-one, 2-cyclopentylcyclopent-1-one, (1S, 4R, 5R) -4-methyl-1-propan-2-ylbicyclo [3.1.0] hex-3-one, 4- (2-methylbut-2-yl) cyclohex-1-one, 4, 7-trimethylbicyclo [2.2.1] hept-3-one, 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one, oct-2-one, (1S, 4R) -2, 4-trimethylbicyclo [2.2.1] hept-3-one, hept-2-one, 2, 4-trimethylbicyclo [2.2.1] hept-3-one, oct-3-one, mixtures thereof, and mixtures thereof.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of volatile carbonyl-containing compound is greater than or equal to 0.01% to less than or equal to 25% by weight of the volatile material.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the permeable material is selected from the group consisting of: fabrics, drywall, wovens, paper, natural polymers, synthetic polymers and inorganic materials, and mixtures thereof.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile material comprises a volatile aldehyde mixture selected from the group consisting of: accords A, B, and mixtures thereof.